Elvis...or Michael?
 

Interesting question I heard posed today...who had more of an impact on music, Elvis Presley or Michael Jackson?

Personally, I kind of think it's a generational thing and people over 45-50 will tend to choose Elvis while those under 40-45 will tend to choose Michael.

Where do you fall? Who do you think had/will have a more lasting impact on music? Or, do you think they both brought a huge and equally significant change to music and it is an apples to oranges comparison?

Discuss.

I don't agree with the premise of the question. The correct answer is The Beatles.


But since all three will have had Cirque du Soleil shows based on them before the year is out, I suppose the comparison is moot. ;)

On the surface I'd fall on the side of MJ. Musically and entertainment...ly I consider them equals, but MJ gets the edge in my book because of his impact on the music industry itself. Like the Beatles, he went beyond a performer, or even a creator, and personally got involved in shaping the path of the music industry.

But that said, when you get to that scale it becomes silly to debate who is "more" influential. It's like debating "Which affects geology more, earthquakes or volcanoes." Far too many utterly inseparable factors to declare any sort of comparative victory. If you like MJ's music more, he's probably more of a personal impact to you. If you like Elvis' music more, he's probably more of a personal impact to you. Whether you like either of them or not, or claim not to be influenced by either of them, somewhere down the line something you are influenced by was influenced by one or both, thus indirectly influencing you.

The answer is - Elvis Presley, Michael Jackson, The Beatles, The Sex Pistols, Bob Dylan, Beck, Jimi Hendrix...

Musically and entertainment-wise. Cumbersome, I know.

Paul Anka and Prince should certainly be up there.

ViSmM.

Just to be contrary, I'd say the GD's presumption that MJ shaped the music industry more than Elvis would be incorrect, and that Elvis actually had a greater impact on the industry as a whole.

But the correct answer is still The Beatles.

Elvis's existence and career perhaps, but Elvis himself? Unless I'm mistaken, it was the people around Elvis that did the real work. Whereas MJ himself wrote a good portion of his own music, produced it, and produced many other people's music himself.

So when it comes to which individual had a greater direct impact, I stand by MJ.

But yes, Beatles beat both in all categories.

Eh, you could say the same thing about Jesus.